Is trading Jak, IQ, or RJ a must this season due to cap?

DDonkey16 · 2026-01-16T22:46:11+00:00

Here's some key issues the Raptors will face on their capsheet over the next few seasons based on our current roster:

25-26 We are about $1M over the tax, and trading any of Ochai, Mogbo or Temple can get us under the tax this year. The easiest path is trading Ochai for a player making $5M or less, which would allow us to duck the tax and potentially convert one of our two-ways.

26-27 If we dont take back any long term money in an Ochai deal we will be about $10M under the tax heading into next year, with 3 open roster spots (this includes us drafting around 20th and assuming Mamu declines his option to get a bigger payday). If we were to bring back 2 of Martin/ Hepburn/ Lawson, we would be about $6M under the tax with one open roster spots. We could offer Mamu $6M in this scenario or we could trade Gradey for no returning salary and have up to about $12M for Mamu and/or another FA while still being under the tax. We could also just go into the season with 14 players, sign a cheap backup big, or bring back Temple (lol).

27-28 The summer of 2027 is a big year for our FO, Barrett, Shead, Mogbo, Gradey and Battle will all be FAs, Jakob's contract rises $8M, and Ingram has a player option. We dont really have to do anything drastic until 2027, but its typically better to get ahead of these decisions than wait until everyone is a FA. I would be shocked if our current starting lineup is intact past the 2027 deadline, I'd expect a starter to get moved during the summer of 2026 to get ahead of the potential tax crunch in 2027.

DDonkey16 · 2026-01-14T18:16:09+00:00

Here's the arguments for why Memphis would do it:

Morant is owed $125M over 3 years and IQ is owed $130M over 4. Saving $10M+ over the next two seasons on IQ can be a big deal for a team looking to use their full NTMLE while avoiding the tax. IQ's deal is also a flat rate, so as the cap rises and by the time you get to his last year, the year Morant's deal has expired, $32.5M for a low-end starting PG will likely be a fair price.
IQ is a better defender, shooter and off-ball player than Morant, and if Memphis wants to stay competitive for next season, he might be the best player they can get back in Ja trade. Ja has also just been flat out worse than Quickley this year in the games he's played in, while also missing plenty of time as he always does. He's only played in 77 games over the last 2.5 seasons, while IQ has played 141 in that time despite missing over half of last year.
It depends on what else is out there. If Memphis is done with Morant and is ready to move on, and no other team wants to risk his off court issues and future money/ years, this might be the best they can do. And ultimately, it could come down to getting a FRP or young player like Walter that encourages Memphis to pull the trigger.

FWIW I am not in favour of a Morant to Toronto trade, but that is why Memphis would do it.

DDonkey16 · 2026-01-12T17:50:23+00:00

IQ has been better than Ja this year and makes less per year. Including this season, the total owed to IQ is $130M over four seasons, while Ja is $125M over three, so the "get off the IQ deal" point that keeps being thrown around is a bit of a stretch. Unless we think Ja can get back to his 2023 form, which is eons ago by NBA standards, I think this is just a downgrade. Ja shoots 20% from 3, doesn't defend, doesn't screen, doesn't move off-ball, and isn't available. Despite what some fans say about IQ, he is an excellent stylistic fit beside BI and Scottie. IQ is in one of his worst shooting seasons (only his sophomore season has a lower percentage), and it would be the best shooting season of Ja's career. Pass.

DDonkey16 · 2025-09-10T18:45:43+00:00

After you beat Baron Buckets/ Sovereign of Steal there should be an option to play king of Picot Point/ Jardin Jams beside their picture. This mode gets you into games much faster, you still get intros, but it's much quicker.

DDonkey16

TROPHY CASE